Job Description Summary:
The Senior Systems Engineer is responsible for the administration, architecture, and operational reliability of the firm's Microsoft 365 workloads, including Exchange and Teams, and their messaging and collaboration environments, with a dual focus on platform administration and infrastructure automation. This role goes beyond day-to-day administration to lead the evaluation, configuration, and continuous improvement of the firm's messaging, voice, and collaboration systems — including Exchange Online/on-premises, Microsoft Teams (including Teams Phone/voice), and related identity and access components — while ensuring proprietary and confidential data remain protected.A core component of this role is the development and maintenance of automation — primarily using PowerShell and Logic Apps — that reduces manual effort, improves consistency, and strengthens the reliability of administration, provisioning, and reporting across the firm's Microsoft 365 workloads, including Exchange and Teams. The Senior Systems Engineer also works cross-functionally with Security, Network Operations, and Solutions and Automation to ensure messaging and collaboration systems are configured, monitored, and maintained in line with firm policy and risk tolerance. Although this role sits outside the Security function, the Senior Systems Engineer is expected to continually evaluate systems such as the Exchange and Teams environment for secure configuration and implementation and to recommend improvements accordingly.This individual operates under minimal supervision, serves as a senior member of the Network Operations Center, mentors junior systems staff, and partners with the Chief Security Officer, Director of IT Infrastructure, and Solutions and Automation on complex technical and strategic initiatives. This position reports directly to the Network & Cloud Architect.This is a full-time exempt position that will be based in our Santa Monica, CA office and offers a hybrid schedule, requiring one day on‑site per week in office, with the possibility of additional required in‑office days depending on business and client needs.
Job Description:
- Administer and support the firm's Microsoft 365 workloads — including Exchange Online/on-premises and Microsoft Teams — covering mail flow, mailbox and distribution list management, and Teams provisioning, channels, and voice/calling configuration.
- Design, build, and maintain PowerShell scripts and Logic Apps workflows to automate administration, provisioning, reporting, and routine operational tasks across Microsoft 365 workloads, including Exchange and Teams.
- Architect, implement, and maintain configuration standards for messaging and collaboration platforms, with oversight responsibility for Network Operations initiatives related to Microsoft 365 workloads, including Exchange and Teams.
- Provide senior-level support for Microsoft Active Directory, Exchange, and Teams/SharePoint, including account and license lifecycle management, and automate recurring identity and access management tasks using PowerShell and Logic Apps.
- Monitor the health, availability, and performance of Microsoft 365 workloads, including Exchange and Teams, and lead troubleshooting of complex, time-sensitive messaging and collaboration issues.
- Develop, document, and maintain operational and automation runbooks covering administration, configuration standards, and Logic Apps workflows for Microsoft 365 workloads, including Exchange and Teams.
- Continually evaluate the Exchange and Teams environment for secure configuration and implementation, and implement and maintain security and access governance across messaging and collaboration platforms — including privileged account access and mailbox permissions — recommending improvements in coordination with the Security team.
- Evaluate emerging Microsoft 365 platform capabilities and automation tooling (e.g., Power Automate, Microsoft Graph API) and recommend adoption where it improves efficiency or reliability.
- Respond to and troubleshoot complex, time-sensitive infrastructure issues under minimal supervision, including evenings and weekends as needed with limited advance notice.
- Mentor junior systems administrators and contribute to the technical growth of the broader IT team.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Desired Skills & Qualifications:
- Advanced knowledge and hands-on experience administering Microsoft Exchange Online and Exchange Server, including mail flow, transport rules, and mailbox management.
- Advanced knowledge and hands-on experience administering Microsoft Teams, including Teams Phone/voice, meeting policies, and channel/tenant configuration.
- Demonstrated experience developing automation and scripting solutions using PowerShell and Azure Logic Apps to manage messaging, collaboration, and identity administration at scale.
- Working knowledge of the Microsoft Graph API and Power Platform (Power Automate/Power Apps) as applied to Microsoft 365 automation.
- Knowledge and hands-on experience with Microsoft Entra ID (Azure Active Directory), including account and license lifecycle management and conditional access.
- Knowledge of current Microsoft 365 and on-premises platforms, including Windows Server, Active Directory, Exchange, Teams, and SharePoint.
- Experience with Microsoft 365 security and compliance tooling (e.g., Microsoft Defender, Purview, Conditional Access) as applied to messaging and collaboration.
- Ability to proactively evaluate the messaging and collaboration environment for security and configuration risk and recommend improvements, working in coordination with the Security team.
- Ability to prioritize and execute complex, multi-stakeholder tasks in a high-pressure environment.
- Ability to conduct research into messaging, collaboration, and automation issues, standards, and products, and to recommend forward-looking solutions.
- Ability to develop and present training programs and workshops, including on automation practices and Microsoft 365 platform usage.
- Knowledge and experience with ITIL processes, configuration management, and process documentation.
- Excellent problem-solving, oral, and written communication skills; customer-oriented and organizationally strong.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively across IT, Security, Legal, and Compliance stakeholders.
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to operate independently on ambiguous or evolving problems.
- Highly self-motivated, directed, and comfortable owning initiatives with minimal oversight.
- Ability to deal responsibly with sensitive and confidential information in a discreet and secure manner.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team as well as independently, and to perform effectively under pressure and tight deadlines.
- Strong customer service orientation, with the ability to explain technical issues and solutions clearly to non-technical staff and attorneys.
- Flexibility to provide after-hours or on-call support and adapt readily to new tools, technologies, and platform changes.
Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent applicable experience.
- 3 - 5+ years of experience administering Microsoft 365 workloads, including Exchange and Teams, in an enterprise environment, including demonstrated PowerShell scripting or Logic Apps automation work.
- Exposure to Microsoft Graph API, Power Automate, or broader Microsoft 365 administration is strongly preferred.
- Systems certification (e.g., Microsoft 365 Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate, MCSE, or similar) or equivalent experience; certifications in automation (e.g., Microsoft Power Platform certifications) are a plus.
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Benefits and Compensation Details:
At Fenwick, we believe that our partners and employees are our most important asset. Helping you and your families achieve and maintain good health - physical, emotional, and financial - is the reason we offer a comprehensive benefit program. We provide benefits to eligible employees under plans such as Healthcare, Life Insurance, Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Wellbeing. Except as otherwise required by law, temporary employees are generally not entitled to these benefits.
The anticipated range for this position is:
$115,000 - $172,750
Depending on the role, the actual base salary offered may depend upon a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.
A discretionary bonus for eligible employees may also be available based on performance. Additional information about employee eligibility for benefits and discretionary bonus will be made available upon request.